Nov. 14, 2017
03:20 pm JST

Hope the guy pulls through. Apparently the docs called a halt to surgery as they felt he could not take much more right now. Luckily most of the bullets/fragments passed right through, nicking various vital organs. They plan to watch him and then do follow-up surgery in a week or so, according to other sources.

Nov. 14, 2017
03:53 pm JST

Nov. 14, 2017
04:20 pm JST

This guy is lucky to be a alive, no doubt that his relatives and friends in NK will be brutality punished. this guy must have been desperate to move to the SK, he's dodged bullets, mine fields, fear of reprisal for his friends, etc

Nov. 14, 2017
04:58 pm JST

Nov. 14, 2017
06:02 pm JST

Sounds like they really do not want people to leave that country, especially those connected with politics, politicians or the military. We should consider ourselves lucky we do not live under some conditions and always be wary when our own politicians wish to curtail our civil liberties in the name of .....(take your pick).

Nov. 14, 2017
06:28 pm JST

Hmmm. I imagine most posters here are pretty clued up on what happens to families of dissidents and/or political prisoners.

In case anyone has any doubts; I cannot recommend highly enough Barbara Demick's Nothing to Envy - the award-winning book focuses on defectors and the country they leave behind. Grim, moving and utterly fascinating.

Nov. 15, 2017
09:15 am JST

I agree. But....How do we explain guys like this?

"UIJEONGBU, South Korea -- A US citizen was arrested by South Korean police Monday for crossing the Civilian Control Line near the inter-Korean border without a permit in an alleged attempt to enter North Korea, authorities concerned said"

"Hailing from Louisiana, the American reportedly came to the South three days ago and violated the line to enter the communist North for political purposes. "